Personality disorders in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Numerous studies over the past two decades have confirmed that abnormalities in the personality development of children and adolescents can be recorded, and that personality disorders (PS) can already be validly diagnosed in adolescence. The conception of PS will change fundamentally with the ICD-11, which will be valid from 2022, and there will no longer be an age limit for diagnosis. It has been proven many times that those affected often show clear abnormalities at an early age, can be clearly distinguished from largely healthy adolescents, suffer from massive psychosocial and health impairments in the further course of their lives. The disorder also causes very high levels of stress for relatives and high costs for society. It has also been empirically proven that PS can be treated and in some cases good treatment results can be achieved. In the meantime, a large number of diagnostic instruments and therapeutic procedures are available for the early detection and treatment of adolescents with PS, so that there are now also the possibilities of early detection and early intervention for this disorder. Hopes are thus growing that chronic progression and thus chronic invalidity can be prevented in at least some of those affected.